Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, check here to know how to structure a successful Cisco Security Career
The potential and real risk of a cyber-attack is a constant headache for IT professionals and Cybersecurity specialists. Cyber criminals are continually scheming new ways to infiltrate corporate networks and frequently they succeed. In 2017, 1,579 data breaches were reported in the U.S., up 44.7 percent from 2016. The figure is not different all over the world demanding more Cybersecurity professionals and opening new opportunities in companies everywhere.
Everything starts by implementing strong network security policies, which will protect your organisation and consequently your reputation. It ensures your IT infrastructure, network and digital assets are compliant, reliable and safe to use. One of the leaders in network and cybersecurity solutions, Cisco is worldwide recognised by the gold-standard of their solutions, so it’s safe to say that Cisco IT professionals have their place guarantee in the market.
The shortage of Cybersecurity professionals already exists and will be even bigger with the high speed of the treats. According to a recent Cybersecurity Ventures report, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021. The most recent salary survey from Abrivia in partnership with Trinity College shows that Security Specialists located in Dublin are expected to have wages between 45k – 90k, according to their levels, in 2019.
In this article we will explore the variety of alternatives for IT pros looking for a Cisco Cybersecurity career and how to achieve a high level of excellence thought Cisco certification.
Basic Cybersecurity Skills
If you are starting from the beginning in your cybersecurity career, there are four pillars of skills you should master before moving on to Cisco security training:
Operating Systems
The first step for Cybersecurity aspirants is to develop an administrative and server-level understanding of how applications, subsystems and users reside and interact in an operating system. Operation systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS and Android) are the glue that holds networks together, so make sure that you master the basics before moving forward, they will be essential in the future.
Click below to access the main courses covering the Operation System requirements.
Operation System Courses
Coding
Software vulnerabilities are responsible for many attacks, that’s why a basic understanding of programming languages, including C, Python or Perl is helpful for identifying and remediating attacks. The coding language recommended for professionals seeking a Cisco Cybersecurity career is Python, which can also help them grow their perspectives in the future.
Click below to see our list of Python courses.
Python Courses
Networking
Networking and communications knowledge might be the most critical components of a successful Cybersecurity career. They are also regularly leveraged in security attacks. Having said that, Security professionals should have a fundamental understanding of networking, including how information is extracted from a system and how it can be compromised or breached.
Click below to see the main Networking courses that we recommend.
Networking Courses
Security Principles
In addition to operating systems, coding and networking skills, aspiring security professionals need to know basic security principles. Depending on your career goals, this knowledge includes both general and industry-specific security concepts. Some industries might demand specialized training.
Before selecting your training, it’s always worth to know more about the specific skills that employers want to see, review the most common ones can be a good starting point.
Click below to see our main Cybersecurity courses.
Cybersecurity Courses
Cisco Security Career Paths
Regarding to Cisco security areas there is no difference from the other IT fields, which means that there are several career paths, roles and industries which is possible to pursue. The best alternative is to think through your desired career path before enrolling in Cisco courses, this will help you get the most value from your training experience.
Cisco security careers range from entry-level security analysts to advanced architects. While the roles vary depending on the industry and organization, they typically fall into the following categories:
Associate Level: 1-3 years of experience
- Job Roles: Network security specialist, security administrator
Professional/Expert: 3-5 years of experience
- Job Roles: Network security engineer
Specialist Level: 7+ years of experience
- Job Roles: Security engineer, security consultant, security architect, network security engineer, channel partner
In the graphic below, you can see the list of courses and related exams required according to the entry level of the professional, considering the bottom as the starting point.
Cisco Security Courses at New Horizons Ireland
In the list below, you can find out in detail the Cisco related courses according to the level most suitable to you. In case you have any question, you can always contact one of our Account Managers, they are ready to help you to choose the best course option to meet your career needs.
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
The Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician certification (CCENT) is an excellent starting point for a Cisco or networking career. It will test for basic network security skills, the CCENT certification prepares candidates to install, manage and troubleshoot a small branch network.
Suggested Course:
Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA Security)
The CCNA Security certification proves that the professional has the knowledge and skills to secure Cisco networks. Through expert-led training courses, it’s possible to learn how to develop a security infrastructure, recognize threats and vulnerabilities and mitigate security threats.
The CCNA Security certification also emphasizes core technology, including installation, troubleshooting and monitoring network devices to maintain the availability and security of data and services.
Suggested Course:
Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)
After earning the CCNA the IT Pro is ready to achieve the Cisco Certified Network Professional Security certification (CCNP Security), which is aligned to the network security engineer role.
The courses and exams in this certification equips IT professionals to deploy leading security solutions with Cisco routers, switches, networking devices and appliances. Network security engineers also learn how to select, deploy, support and troubleshoot firewalls, VPNs and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments.
Suggested Courses:
MORE CISCO COURSES
*The Article above is based on the information provided here.
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